BIG DATE: Sept. 6 vs. USC. This early test against Stanford's ancient rival carries conference and national title implications -- the loser will have its work cut out to remain in the playoff chase. The Cardinal cannot afford to lose at home given its daunting road schedule.

KEY DEPARTURES: Tailback Tyler Gaffney not only led Stanford in rushing last season (1,709 yards) but also was the entire offense for stretches. ... Outside linebacker Trent Murphy had three times as many sacks (15) as any other player. ... Inside linebacker Shayne Skov was Stanford's top tackler, in addition to setting the emotional and physical tone for the defense.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS: Ty Montgomery is the Cardinal's top receiver (61 catches, 10 touchdowns last year) and an All-America kickoff returner whose efforts on special teams are critical to advantageous field position. ... Quarterback Kevin Hogan, in his second full season as the starter, makes big plays but must become more consistent with short- and middle-distance passes. ... Henry Anderson, one of the top defensive ends in the Pac-12, is integral to the pass rush, either by drawing double teams or getting to the quarterback himself. ... Inside linebacker A.J. Tarpley, who thrives in big games, is the top returning tackler and assumes Skov's leadership role in the middle of the defense.

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FRESH FACES TO WATCH: Redshirt freshman Austin Hooper is the presumptive starting tight end and key to renewed production by the unit. ... Graham Shuler takes over at center and will be responsible for communicating changes before the snap. ... Aziz Shittu can play either nose tackle or end and provides needed versatility for a thin unit. ... Kyle Olugbode, a former walk-on from Bellarmine College Prep, is expected to start at safety.

Austin Hooper attends football practice at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, August 22, 2014. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

BEST-CASE SCENARIO: Stanford beats USC by any means possible, buying time for the rebuilt offensive line and fledgling running game to round into form before the meat of the schedule. With Hogan making big plays and avoiding costly mistakes, the Cardinal navigates the brutal road lineup, beats Oregon again and wins the league title to reach the playoffs. In the semifinals, it meets Alabama in the Rose Bowl.

WORST-CASE SCENARIO: The running game is decent, not dominant; Hogan is solid, not stellar; and the defense fails to rise to the level of its predecessors. The combination is too much to overcome, and the schedule exacts a heavy toll: The Cardinal staggers to a 7-5 record that feels like 5-7 compared with the success of the previous four years.

Ty Montgomery attends football practice at Stanford University in Stanford, Calif., on Friday, August 22, 2014. (Jim Gensheimer/Bay Area News Group)

BOTTOM LINE: Look for Stanford to place more emphasis on the aerial attack to take advantage of Hogan's experience and its talented receiving corps. At the same time, the defense will be hard-pressed to equal the dominance it displayed last year. The result: More points on both sides of the ledger. Instead of final scores in the 24-17 vicinity, Stanford and its opponent are both in the 30s on a regular basis. The victories keep coming, but the North division title and a spot in the playoffs might be out of reach given the schedule.